HBO has premiered The Mortician, a gripping three-part documentary series that delves into one of the most disturbing funeral industry scandals in American history. Directed by Joshua Rofé and executive produced by Jonah Hill, the series debuted on June 1, 2025, and is now streaming on HBO and Max.
Dark Secrets of the Lamb Funeral Home
The Mortician investigates the notorious case of David Sconce, who took over his family’s Lamb Funeral Home in Pasadena, California, during the 1980s. Under his leadership, the funeral home became the center of a macabre operation involving mass cremations, body mutilations, and the illegal sale of human remains. Sconce’s practices included cremating multiple bodies simultaneously in ceramic kilns, extracting gold dental fillings, and delivering mixed or fake ashes to grieving families.
Exclusive Interviews and Revelations
The docuseries features the first post-incarceration interview with David Sconce, who was released from prison in 2023. In these interviews, Sconce exhibits a disturbing lack of remorse, rationalizing his actions as business decisions. The series also includes testimonies from former employees, victims’ families, and industry insiders, painting a comprehensive picture of the scandal’s impact.
The exposure of Sconce’s unethical practices led to significant regulatory changes in the U.S. mortuary industry. These reforms included stricter crematory inspections and the criminalization of unauthorized removal of dental metals. The Mortician not only recounts these events but also examines the broader implications for the funeral industry, highlighting the potential for abuse when oversight is lacking.
